WelcomeWelcome to West to West Dunbartonshire HowHow to tofind find us us Council’s 1st Local Nature Reserve Council’s 1st Local Nature Reserve

The TheSaltings Saltings is designated is designated as a asLocal a Local Nature Nature Reserve, recognising the importance of this Reserve, recognising the importance of this specialspecial place place for naturefor nature and andensuring ensuring it is it is safeguardedsafeguarded for peoplefor people and andnature nature to enjoy to enjoy for yearsfor years to come. to come. FacilitiesFacilities

ThereThere is a networkis a network of paths of paths throughout throughout the the site andsite twoand twomain main routes routes are wayare waymarked, marked, the the willowwillow route route and theand swanthe swan route. route. The The site siteis is also alsosign signposted posted off of off the of NCN7the NCN7 cycleway cycleway and providesand provides a nice a nicedetour detour from from the theForth Forth and Clydeand Clyde Canal. Canal. The TheSaltings Saltings has wellhas well TheThe Saltings Saltings surfacedsurfaced paths paths ideal ideal for pushchairsfor pushchairs and and wheelchairwheelchair access. access. Interpretation Interpretation panels panels on on LocalLocal Nature Nature Reserve Reserve site tellsite youtell aboutyou about history history and andwildlife. wildlife. LookingLooking after after The The Saltings Saltings

The Saltings is managed by West The Saltings is managed by West Travel information DunbartonshireDunbartonshire Council’s Council’s Greenspace Greenspace Travel information Visit www.travelinescotland.com for up to date department.department. Funding Funding from from Forestry Forestry Visit www.travelinescotland.com for up to date information. Kilpatrick train station is a 10 minute CommissionCommission Scotland has alsohas alsoallowed allowed for for information. Kilpatrick train station is a 10 minute walk and the nearest bus stop is a two minute walk woodlandwoodland management, management, path path installation, installation, tree tree walk and the nearest bus stop is a two minute walk from the main entrance. Free car parking available. surgerysurgery and invasiveand invasive species species removal. removal. from the main entrance. Free car parking available.

The TheCountryside Countryside Ranger Ranger Service Service operates operates herehere carrying carrying out conservationout conservation projects projects involvinginvolving schools, schools, volunteer volunteer groups groups and and businesses.businesses. If you’d If you’d like tolike get to involvedget involved please please contactcontact the Rangerthe Ranger Service. Service.

GeneralGeneral Enquiries Enquiries 01389 01389 772059 772059 CountrysideCountryside Ranger Ranger Service Service 01389 01389 752977 752977 07909 07909 595283 595283 ThanksThanks to to TheresaTheresa Dockery Dockery [email protected]@west-dunbarton.gov.uk for photographyfor photography What’s in a name? What’s in a name? The Saltings gets its name from marshland knownThe Saltings as ‘saltings’ gets its or name salt marsh.from marshland ‘Saltings’ occurknown from as ‘saltings’ daily tidal or floodingsalt marsh. by brackish‘Saltings’ water.occur from The dailyword tidal ‘brak’ flooding comes by from brackish the Dutch forwater. ‘salty’. The The word fresh ‘brak’ water comes of the from River the Clyde Dutch Grassland Woodland meetsfor ‘salty’. sea Thewater fresh near water Old Kilpatrickof the River where Clyde the Grassland Woodland The grasslands are a mosaic of wet marshy Mixed mature broadleaved woodland exists rivermeets becomes sea water an near estuary. where the The grasslands are a mosaic of wet marshy Mixed mature broadleaved woodland exists areasThe grasslands and dry grassland. are a mosaic This of mixture wet marshy gives betweenMixed mature the Forth broadleaved and Clyde woodland Canal and exists the river becomes an estuary. areas and dry grassland. This mixture gives between the and the riseareas to and a rich dry diversitygrassland. of Thisplant mixture life. The gives grasslandbetween themeadow. Forth and Here Clyde you Canalcan find and large the The building of the Bridge changed the rise to a rich diversity of plant life. The grassland meadow. Here you can find large flowersrise to a attract rich diversity butterflies, of plant bees life. and Themoths. oaks,grassland ash, meadow.sycamore, Here beech you and can horse find chestnut.large habitatThe building of The of Saltings the Erskine when Bridge the marshland changed thewas flowers attract butterflies, bees and moths. oaks, ash, sycamore, beech and horse chestnut. Hundredsflowers attract of common butterflies, spotted bees and and northern moths. Matureoaks, ash, oak sycamore, trees can beech provide and shelter horse forchestnut. in-filledhabitat ofwith The spoil Saltings from when the build. the marshland Where the was Hundreds of common spotted and northern Mature oak trees can provide shelter for marshHundreds orchids of common can be found spotted here and in northern June and aroundMature 300oak treestypes canof insects provide which shelter in turnfor Dalnotterin-filled with Burn spoil enters from the the River build. Clyde Where a small the marsh orchids can be found here in June and around 300 types of insects which in turn July.marsh In orchids late summer can be intofound autumn, here in look June out and providearound 300food types for birds of insects and the which acorns in turn support areaDalnotter of estuarine Burn enters salt marsh the River remains, Clyde supporting a small July. In late summer into autumn, look out provide food for birds and the acorns support forJuly. common In late summerblue damselflies into autumn, and common look out smallprovide mammals. food for Muchbirds andof the the rest acorns of the support site seaarea club of estuarine rush and saltcommon marsh reed. remains, You supporting might for common blue damselflies and common small mammals. Much of the rest of the site hawkerfor common dragonflies. blue damselflies They are and both common fierce hassmall now mammals. been colonised Much of by the younger rest of treesthe site such seesea clubreed rushbunting and perchingcommon here reed. or Youlook mightout for hawker dragonflies. They are both fierce has now been colonised by younger trees such predatorshawker dragonflies. which hunt They insects are such both as fierce midges! ashas goat now willow, been colonised birch, hawthorn, by younger blackthorn trees such and thesee kingfisherreed bunting feeding perching up and here down or look the burn.out for predators which hunt insects such as midges! as goat willow, birch, hawthorn, blackthorn and the kingfisher feeding up and down the burn. predators which hunt insects such as midges! alder.as goat willow, birch, hawthorn, blackthorn and alder.

Within the woodlandWithin the there is awoodland hidden pond there is whicha hidden is homepond to wetlandwhich is plantshome andto animalswetland includingplants and frogs,animals toads including and newts.frogs, toads and newts.